Northampton Saints 47 Sale Sharks 21: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

On Saturday afternoon, the black, green and gold, who had blitzed Vodacom Bulls in a 50-5 success on the previous Sunday, delivered the perfect festive gift of a full five points and a full fat performance against Sale Sharks.

Not only did they have their trademark magic, they also had the muscle to see off a Sharks side who were made to look like an army without sufficient weapons.

The away side, missing the likes of George Ford, Tom Roebuck and Joe Carpenter, continued to play the same way without those men, and they simply didn't have the same effect.

Raffi Quirke continued to box kick but didn't have the men to chase the ball and compete upfield.

Saints dealt with the aerial bombardment well, with skipper George Furbank able to help his team rule the skies.

And on the ground, there was only one winner as Sale boss Alex Sanderson admitted his side had been ‘thoroughly beaten in most areas'.

This was a huge overall performance from a Saints side that was also saturated with moments of individual brilliance.

From one to 23, the men wearing black, green and gold showcased their solo super-strengths while piecing it all together as a team to devastating effect.

There was Alex Coles slide tackling and making one-handed grabs at lineouts, there was Henry Pollock turning on the turbos to round the final man for an early try, there was Tom Pearson running lovely lines and producing a slaloming score, there was Callum Chick kicking ahead to pile the pressure on, there was Craig Wright swatting aside Quirke like he wasn't there, there was Fin Smith making breaks, George Hendy sidestepping for fun and, of course, Josh Kemeny scoring a contender for one of the best solo tries seen at the Gardens.

There was, of course, even more than that as it felt like every single member of the matchday squad had at least one moment in the sun.

And it really emphasised the philosophy the coaches have instilled in this team over recent years. Sam Vesty has often spoken about ensuring players' primary focus is doing what they do well really well to the best of their ability, previously saying: "For us, it's about doing what we do really well and doing it more consistently than we have been."

Vesty, Phil Dowson and Co want their players to think about their personal super-strength and hammer it home.

And how we saw that here.

We saw Kemeny's speed, Hendy's footwork, Pearson's relentless physicality on and off the ball, and so much more as each and every player stepped up in one way or another.

It is incredible to witness what is being built at the Gardens and when you consider the likes of Curtis Langdon, Tom Lockett, Sam Graham, Rory Hutchinson and Anthony Belleau were among the players not involved in this match, you can see what kind of squad has been assembled.

It used to be that teams could come to the Gardens and hang their hat on physicality as they looked to suffocate Saints up front, but this Northampton team has an overwhelming amount of physicality of its own.

Kemeny is fast and furious, Pearson and Pollock are pacey and powerful and Saints really are creating all-round threats.

We saw George Furbank forcing his way over the line for a crucial second-half score, Edoardo Todaro winning breakdown penalties, Fin Smith making big hits, so it wasn't just the big men who delivered the substance as well as the style.

Saints continually took Sale on in the set piece and prospered, laying the platform for their attacking play.

But they know that the sizeable packs and the sizeable challenges just keep coming, especially when you consider that their next three away games are Bath, Bordeaux and Sale.

The Sharks, as is always the case, will be a different beast on home soil, especially if they can get the likes of Ford, Roebuck and Carpenter back.

And little needs to be said about the ability of Bath and Bordeaux, two of Europe's elite.

But make no mistake about it, this Saints team are also in that category - and they will look to emphasise that on the pitch before the Six Nations period arrives.

First though, those of a black, green and gold persuasion can sit and enjoy their Christmas, while replaying some of those special Saturday moments on their device and in their head.

How they rated…

GEORGE FURBANK - such an incredibly secure presence at full-back, but his attacking game is also top drawer and his finish for his try showed his refusal to be stopped... 9

GEORGE HENDY - his direct running wreaked havoc for Sale as he set up one try and scored two of his own, one of which included a true moment of magic as his dazzling footwork helped him beat Tom O'Flaherty on the left wing... 9

FRASER DINGWALL - just makes so many contributions that you don't quite appreciate until you watch the match for a second time. His handling for Furbank's try was exceptional and he also delivered some important moments in defence... 8.5

TOBY THAME - picked up a try during the first half and certainly looks at home at the top level, though will have been frustrated to have to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin... 7.5

EDOARDO TODARO - showcased his excellent footwork and running game here and there, but what was most impressive about this performance was his physicality, which included some big tackles and even a breakdown penalty win... 8.5

FIN SMITH - this was a massive showing from the fly-half, who orchestrated things yet again, delivering one stunning break that led to a try while also showcasing his excellent kicking game... 9

ALEX MITCHELL - often so electric in attack, what was noticeable here was his defence and his ability to snuff of issues when they arose, making a big stop on Luke Cowan-Dickie and sweeping up to stop Sale scoring at an important stage in the first half... 8.5

MANNY IYOGUN - a huge game from the prop as he won penalties for his team at the set piece and even returned to the action late on to help them finish with a flourish... 8.5

CRAIG WRIGHT - has always been highly rated, having represented England Under-20s, and he's showing why. He keeps getting more and more powerful and one run really caught the eye as he continues to excel... 8.5

TREVOR DAVISON - big Trev keeps motoring on and keeps turning in the big displays. He was so sound yet again here, refusing to let the Sharks take an inch in the set piece... 8

ALEX COLES - anywhere and everywhere, this guy gets around the field at a serious rate. Delivered a slide tackle he would have been proud of during his youth football days and also caught the eye with an incredible lineout take among many other important contributions... 8.5

JJ VAN DER MESCHT - there's a roar around the Gardens every time this man gets the ball as he often takes three defenders with him. His physicality was key again... 8

JOSH KEMENY - on many other days, this man would have been star man as he delivered a try-scoring offload and produced one of the finest tries you will ever see from a forward. His speed and footwork is incredible for a flanker... 9

TOM PEARSON - CHRON STAR MAN - watch this game back and watch how this guy covers every blade of grass. An indefatigable display capped with an excellent try. What a season he's having... 9.5

HENRY POLLOCK - yet another special showing in the formative stages of a potentially special career. His energy always sets the tone for Saints and his first-half finish was typically excellent... 9

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

ROBBIE SMITH (for Wright 46) - won a breakdown penalty at the end of the game that showed his hunger to keep going and going for his team as he made a good impact... 7.5

DANILO FISCHETTI (for Iyogun 52) - Saints will hope the injury that forced him off isn't serious as he has got better and better since joining during the summer... 7

CLEOPAS KUNDIONA (for Davison 52) - added his power game to the mix and looked eager to get his hands on the ball when he could... 7

CALLUM CHICK (for Pollock 56) - produced a kick ahead that piled the pressure on Sale and how great it was for Saints to have this man as an option from the bench... 7

OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME (for Hendy 56) - didn't get too many chances to fly forward in attack, but did some good defensive work to stop Sale when they tried to build up a head of steam... 7